Abstract: A method and a composition for disinfecting matter or materials such as medical instruments, operating rooms, examining tables, walls, windows, floors, solutions, porous substances and the like contaminated with bacteria, bacterial spores, fungi, or viruses is disclosed. The composition consists of a mixture of a peroxymonosulfate and a carbonyl-containing compound and reaction products thereof and is preferably dioxirane formed by in situ oxidation of a ketone or aldehyde by the peroxymonosulfate in aqueous solution. Carbonyl-containing compounds that have been tested include acetone, 2-pentanone, 4-hydroxy-4-methyl-2-pentanone, and camphorsulfonic acid. The method includes providing a solution containing the dioxirane reaction mixture and contacting the matter or materials with it at room temperature for a time sufficient to disinfect and sterilize the matter or materials.

Abstract: A vapor humidification component with a disposable water source for a medical instrument sterilization system that utilizes ozone as a sterilization agent. The humidification component of the invention receives a measured input of water that is vaporized therein and injected into an ozone-oxygen mixture flow for passage into a primary sterilization chamber wherein the humidified ozone-oxygen mixture is circulated to scour and sterilize, during a sterilization cycle, medical instruments contained therein, whereafter the ozone-oxygen mixture is passed to a destruction chamber for heat destruction and venting to atmosphere.

Abstract: A spent sterilization agent destruct and ambient air mixing device for inclusion with medial instrument sterilization system that preferably utilizes humidified ozone O.sub.3 as a sterilization agent or sterilizing effluent. The invention is for receiving a spent sterilization agent flow that includes humidified ozone O.sub.3 and oxygen O.sub.2 and provides, within the device, for exposure of that spent sterilization agent to both a catalytic converter and to an application of heat that converts ozone O.sub.3 to oxygen O.sub.2, thereby rendering the sterilization agent inert, and provides for mixing that inert flow with ambient air and venting to atmosphere.